The 2026-27 NBA season will feature a packed lineup of marquee events across NBC, Peacock, ESPN, ABC and Prime Video, giving basketball fans several major dates to circle on the calendar.
According to the NBA’s key dates schedule, the national spotlight begins with American Express NBA Tip-Off on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, followed by the start of the Emirates NBA Cup on Friday, October 30.
The season’s featured dates also include NBA Christmas Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, NBA Rivals Week, the NBA Pioneers Classic and NBA All-Star 2027 in Phoenix.
Here is a complete look at the NBA key dates for the 2026-27 season and where to watch each event.
NBA Key Dates 2026-27 and Where to Watch
| Event | Date | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| American Express NBA Tip-Off | Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 | NBC, Peacock, ESPN, Prime Video |
| Emirates NBA Cup | Begins Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 | Prime Video, ESPN, NBC, Peacock |
| NBA Christmas Day | Friday, Dec. 25, 2026 | ABC, ESPN |
| NBA MLK Day | Monday, Jan. 18, 2027 | NBC, Peacock |
| NBA Rivals Week | Begins Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2027 | ESPN, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video |
| NBA Pioneers Classic | Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2027 | ESPN |
| NBA All-Star 2027 | Begins Friday, Feb. 19, 2027 | NBC, Peacock, ESPN |
When Does the 2026-27 NBA Season Start?
One of the first major dates on the calendar is Tuesday, October 20, 2026, when American Express NBA Tip-Off begins.
National coverage will be available across NBC, Peacock, ESPN and Prime Video.
The opening provides basketball fans with several television and streaming options as teams begin their pursuit of a spot in the 2027 NBA Playoffs.
When Does the 2026 NBA Cup Start?
The Emirates NBA Cup begins Friday, October 30, 2026.
Fans will be able to watch NBA Cup coverage across Prime Video, ESPN, NBC and Peacock.
The NBA Cup provides an additional competition within the regular-season calendar, with teams competing for the in-season championship while continuing their regular-season schedules.
For fans searching for where to watch the NBA Cup in 2026, the NBA lists Prime Video, ESPN, NBC and Peacock among the primary viewing options.
Where to Watch NBA Christmas Day 2026
NBA Christmas Day is Friday, December 25, 2026, with national coverage on ABC and ESPN.
Christmas Day is traditionally one of the biggest dates on the NBA calendar, featuring nationally televised games and some of the league’s most recognizable teams and players.
For viewers wondering what channel the NBA games are on Christmas Day 2026, the answer is ABC and ESPN.
Specific matchups and start times will determine which network carries each game.
When Is NBA MLK Day 2027?
The NBA’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day games are scheduled for Monday, January 18, 2027.
Coverage will be available through NBC and Peacock.
MLK Day has long been an important date on the NBA calendar, combining basketball with events recognizing the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
When Is NBA Rivals Week 2027?
NBA Rivivals Week begins Tuesday, January 26, 2027, with games available across ESPN, NBC, Peacock and Prime Video.
NBA Rivals Week highlights matchups involving teams and players with notable rivalries, adding extra attention to a stretch of the regular-season schedule.
With four national platforms involved, fans will have multiple ways to watch Rivals Week games throughout the event.
When Is the NBA Pioneers Classic 2027?
The NBA Pioneers Classic takes place Wednesday, February 3, 2027.
The event will be televised nationally on ESPN.
The Pioneers Classic is one of the NBA’s highlighted events during the 2026-27 regular season and comes shortly before the league shifts its attention toward NBA All-Star Weekend.
When Is NBA All-Star Weekend 2027?
NBA All-Star 2027 begins Friday, February 19, 2027, in Phoenix, Arizona.
The NBA lists NBC, Peacock and ESPN as viewing options for All-Star festivities.
NBA All-Star Weekend is one of the league’s biggest annual events, bringing many of basketball’s biggest stars together for several days of competitions, celebrations and showcase events.
Where to Watch NBA Games During the 2026-27 Season
Basketball fans will need access to several networks and streaming services to follow the NBA’s biggest nationally televised events during the 2026-27 season.
The major platforms highlighted on the NBA’s key dates schedule are NBC, Peacock, ESPN, ABC and Prime Video.
NBC and Peacock are particularly prominent, appearing on the schedule for NBA Tip-Off, the NBA Cup, MLK Day, Rivals Week and NBA All-Star 2027.
ESPN is also featured throughout the calendar, including NBA Tip-Off, the NBA Cup, Christmas Day, Rivals Week, the Pioneers Classic and NBA All-Star.
Prime Video will carry coverage surrounding NBA Tip-Off, the NBA Cup and Rivals Week, while ABC is listed for the league’s traditional Christmas Day showcase.
What Are the Biggest NBA Dates in 2026-27?
The NBA’s major nationally showcased dates begin in October and continue through February.
October 20, 2026: American Express NBA Tip-Off begins.
October 30, 2026: Emirates NBA Cup begins.
December 25, 2026: NBA Christmas Day.
January 18, 2027: NBA on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
January 26, 2027: NBA Rivals Week begins.
February 3, 2027: NBA Pioneers Classic.
February 19, 2027: NBA All-Star 2027 begins in Phoenix.
For fans planning how to watch the 2026-27 NBA season, those dates represent some of the biggest nationally televised events before the postseason begins.